Exhaust gas cleaner

ABSTRACT

An exhaust gas cleaner consisting essentially of a first catalyst consisting essentially of a first porous inorganic oxide supporting 1.6-8.7 weight percent of an Ag component, on a metal basis, and a second catalyst consisting essentially of a second porous inorganic oxide supporting 0.1-3.8 weight percent of a Pt component and 1-9.9 weight percent of a W component, each weight percent on a metal basis. The Ag component includes Ag or a compound thereof. The Pt component includes Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, and Au. The W component includes W, V, Mn, Mo, Nb, and Ta.

The present application is a Division of prior application Ser. No. 08/495,029 filed Jun. 27, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,824,621, which is a division of prior application Ser. No. 08/360,025 filed Dec. 20, 1994 now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an exhaust gas cleaner for effectively removing nitrogen oxides by reduction from an exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides and an excess amount of oxygen, and a method for cleaning an exhaust gas with such an exhaust gas cleaner.

Various exhaust gases discharged from internal combustion engines such as automobile engines, etc., combustion apparatuses installed in factories, home fun heaters, etc. contain nitrogen oxides such as nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide together with an excess amount of oxygen. The term "containing an excess amount of oxygen" means that the oxygen content is larger than its stoichiometric amount relative to unburned components such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen, hydrocarbons in the exhaust gas. The term "nitrogen oxides" (NOx) means nitrogen monoxide and/or nitrogen dioxide.

The nitrogen oxides are one cause of acid rain, posing a serious problem of environmental pollution. For these reasons, various methods have been proposed to remove nitrogen oxides from exhaust gases emitted from various types of combustion equipment.

In the case of large, stationary combustion apparatuses such as large combustion apparatuses of factories, ammonia is introduced into the exhaust gas, whereby nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas are catalytically and selectively reduced (a selective catalytic reduction).

However, such a method is disadvantageous, because ammonia is expensive, because ammonia is so toxic that the amount of ammonia should be controlled by measuring the concentration of nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas, and because this reduction system generally needs large apparatuses.

There is an alternative method for reducing NOx, which comprises contacting an exhaust gas containing oxygen and NOx with a gaseous reducing agent such as hydrogen, carbon monoxide or hydrocarbons (a non-selective catalytic reduction). However, this method requires a larger amount of the reducing agent than its stoichiometric amount relative to oxygen in the exhaust gas to carry out effective removal of NOx. Accordingly, this method is effective only for exhaust gas having a relatively low oxygen concentration, which is generated by burning nearly at a theoretical air-fuel ratio.

There have been proposed methods of reducing nitrogen oxides by adding to an exhaust gas a reducing agent in a smaller amount than a stoichiometric amount relative to oxygen in the exhaust gas, in the presence of a catalyst such as zeolite with or without supporting a transition metal (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 63-100919, 63-283727 and 1-130735; Thesis 2A526, 1990, the 59th Spring Conference of the Japan Chemical Society; Theses 3L420, 3L422 and 3L423, 1990, the 60th Fall Conference of the Japan Chemical Society; and "Catalyst", Vol. 33, No. 2, p. 59, 1991).

However, these methods are effective only in a narrow temperature range of NOx removal. Also, their efficiency of removing nitrogen oxides is extremely low in the case of an actual exhaust gas because a typical exhaust gas contains about 10% of moisture.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an exhaust gas cleaner and a method capable of efficiently removing nitrogen oxides by reduction together with residual or unburned components such as carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by oxidation from an exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides and oxygen in an amount larger than the stoichiometric amount relative to unburned components such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen, hydrocarbons, etc., which is discharged from stationary combustion apparatuses, gasoline engines operated under oxygen excess conditions, and diesel engines.

As a result of intense research in view of the above objects, the inventors have found that nitrogen oxides are reduced to nitrogen gas accompanied by by-production of ammonia when an organic compound such as ethanol is allow to react with an exhaust gas containing oxygen and nitrogen oxides over a catalyst comprising a porous inorganic oxide supporting an Ag component such as Ag and compounds thereof, or a catalyst comprising a porous inorganic oxide supporting the Ag component in combination with a Pt component such as Pt, Pd, Ru, etc. or a W component such as W, V, Mn, etc. The inventors have further found that nitrogen oxides can be effectively removed in a wide temperature range from an exhaust gas containing about 10% of moisture when the exhaust gas, after introducing thereinto at least one reducing agent of hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing organic compounds having at least two carbon atoms or a fuel containing the reducing agent, is brought into contact at a specified temperature and space velocity with a combined catalyst of such a catalyst as mentioned above with a catalyst, capable of reducing nitrogen oxides by the aid of ammonia as a reducing agent, including a Pt component such as Pt, Pd, Ru, etc. and optionally a W component such as W, V, Mn, etc. The present invention has been completed based on these findings.

Thus, in an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an exhaust gas cleaner which can effectively remove nitrogen oxides by reduction and unburned components of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by oxidation from an exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides and oxygen in an amount larger than its stoichiometric amount relative to the unburned components in the exhaust gas. The exhaust gas cleaner comprises a first catalyst comprising a first porous inorganic oxide supporting 0.2-15 weight % of an Ag component alone or in combination with 1 weight % or less of a Pt component or 5 weight % or less of a W component and a second catalyst comprising a second porous inorganic oxide supporting 5 weight % or less of a Pt component and optionally 10 weight % or less of a W component, the weight percentages being expressed by metal basis. At least one of the first and second catalysts contains the W component, the Ag component consists essentially of at least one of Ag and compounds thereof, the Pt component of the first and second catalysts consists essentially of at least one of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir and Au, and the W component of the first and second catalysts consists essentially of at least one of W, V, Mn, Mo, Nb and Ta.

In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for removing nitrogen oxides by reduction and unburned components of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by oxidation from an exhaust gas containing nitrogen oxides and oxygen in an amount larger than its stoichiometric amount relative to the unburned components in the exhaust gas, which comprises (1) disposing the exhaust gas cleaner mentioned above in a flow path of the exhaust-gas, (2) introducing into the exhaust gas at least one reducing agent of hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing organic compounds having at least two carbon atoms or a fuel containing at least one of the reducing agents on an upstream side of the exhaust gas cleaner, and (3) bringing the exhaust gas into contact with the exhaust gas cleaner at a temperature of 150°-650° C., thereby causing a reaction of the nitrogen oxides with the reducing agent to remove the nitrogen oxides and unburned components of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by oxidation from the exhaust gas.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The preferred embodiments of the present invention include the following types of exhaust gas cleaners and the corresponding methods for removing nitrogen oxides using such exhaust gas cleaners.

(1) First catalyst: Ag component, Second catalyst: Pt component and W component;

(2) First catalyst: Ag component and W component, Second catalyst: Pt component,

(3) First catalyst: Ag component and W component, Second catalyst: Pt component and W component

(4) First catalyst: Ag component and Pt component, Second catalyst: Pt component and W component

In the present invention, an exhaust gas is mixed with a reducing agent on an upstream side of the exhaust gas cleaner disposed in a flow path of the exhaust gas. The reducing agent may be hydrocarbons and/or oxygen-containing organic compounds having at least two carbon atoms. A fuel containing such reducing agent may be mixed with the exhaust gas.

The exhaust gas thus mixed with the reducing agent is then brought into contact with the exhaust gas cleaner to remove the nitrogen oxides by reduction and unburned components by oxidation.

The exhaust gas cleaner of the present invention comprises the first catalyst and the second catalyst. The first catalyst is preferably to be disposed on an inlet side of the exhaust gas cleaner and the second catalyst on an outlet side of the exhaust gas cleaner. Such arrangement of the catalysts ensures an effective removal of the nitrogen oxides by reduction over a wide temperature range.

The exhaust gas cleaner of the present invention may be basically in two forms. The exhaust gas cleaner of a first preferred form is obtained by coating on a cleaner substrate the first and second catalyst each in the form of a powdery porous inorganic oxide coating one or more catalytically active components. The exhaust gas cleaner of such a form may be also obtained by coating the catalytically active components onto a porous inorganic oxide powder coated on a cleaner substrate.

Preferred materials for the cleaner substrate include porous, heat-resistant ceramics having a large specific surface area such as γ-alumina, titania, zirconia and their composite oxides such as γ-alumina-titania, γ-alumina-silica, γ-alumina-zirconia, titania zirconia, etc. When a high heat resistance is required, cordierite, mullite, alumina or its composite oxides are preferred. Also, the cleaner substrate may be formed from a known metal material.

The shape and size of the cleaner substrate may be changed depending on applications. Practically, the cleaner substrate may be fabricated from two parts or more such as an inlet portion, an intermediate portion, an outlet portion, etc. The cleaner substrate may be of a three-dimensional structure such as a honeycomb, a foam, a refractory fiber assembly, etc. Further, the cleaner substrate may be in the form of granules or pellets. The first and second catalysts may be coated on different portions of one cleaner substrate. Alternatively, the first and second catalysts may be coated on separate cleaner substrates, and thereafter, fabricated into an exhaust gas cleaner.

The exhaust gas cleaner of a second preferred form may be produced by charging into a suitable reactor such as a catalytic converter the first and second catalysts obtained by coating one or more catalytically active components onto a pelletized, granular or powdery porous inorganic oxide, or obtained by forming a porous inorganic oxide supporting one or more catalytically active components into pellet, granule or powder.

The exhaust gas cleaner of the present invention comprises the following first and second catalysts.

First catalyst

The first catalyst comprises a first porous inorganic oxide supporting an Ag component alone or in combination with a Pt component or a W component.

First porous inorganic oxide

Preferable materials for the first porous inorganic oxide include porous ceramics such as alumina, silica, titania, zirconia and their composite oxides, etc. Particularly preferred materials for the first porous inorganic oxide are γ-alumina or alumina-based composite oxides containing at least one of silica, titania and zirconia. The content of the alumina in the alumina-based composite oxides is preferably 50 weight % or more. An alumina content lower than 50 weight % results in a deteriorated initial efficiency of nitrogen oxides removal. The γ-alumina and alumina-based composite oxides promote the reaction of the nitrogen oxides with the reducing agent such as hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing organic compound or a fuel containing the reducing agent. In particular, the alumina-based composite oxides can improve the durability and heat resistance of the exhaust gas cleaner even in the presence of SO₂ gas, and further, prevent the oxidation of SO₂.

Specific surface areas of the first and second porous inorganic oxides are preferably 10 m² /g or more. When the specific surface area is smaller than 10 m² /g, the catalytically active component supported on the first porous inorganic oxide does not come into contact with the exhaust gas in a large contact area, and thus fails to remove nitrogen oxides efficiently. The specific surface area of the first porous inorganic oxide is more preferably 30 m² /g or more.

Ag component

The Ag component is one or more of Ag and compounds thereof. The compounds of Ag include oxides, halides such as chlorides, etc. and sulfates of Ag. A preferred Ag component is one or more of Ag, Ag oxides and Ag chlorides.

The average diameter, determined arithmetically, of the Ag component after calcination is preferably 10-10000 nm. Generally, the smaller the average diameter of the Ag component, the higher the activity of the first catalyst. However, when the average diameter of the Ag component is less than 10 nm, hydrocarbons and/or oxygen-containing organic compounds are likely to be predominantly oxidized, resulting in a decrease in the removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides. On the other hand, when the average diameter is larger than 10000 nm, the catalytic activity of the Ag component becomes low, resulting in a low removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides. The average diameter of the silver salt component is more preferably 20-2000 nm.

The amount of the Ag component supported on the first porous inorganic oxide is 0.2-15 weight %, preferably 0.5-15 weight % (on a metal basis) based on the first porous inorganic oxide. When the amount of the Ag component is less than 0.2 weight %, the removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides is low. On the other hand, when the amount of the Ag component is more than 15 weight %, the hydrocarbons and oxygen-containing organic compounds are likely to be predominantly burned, resulting in a decrease in the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides.

W component

The W component is one or more of W, V, Mn, Mo, Nb and Ta, preferably one or more of W, V, Mo and Mn, and more preferably W and/or V. The W component may include oxides of such elements.

The amount of the W component supported on the first porous inorganic oxide is up to 5 weight %, preferably 0.01-3 weight % (on a metal basis) based on the first porous inorganic oxide. The amount of the W component more than 5 weight % provides no additional effect in improving the removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides. The W component makes it possible to remove the nitrogen oxides by the reducing action of ammonia.

Pt component

The Pt component is one or more of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir and Au, preferably one or more of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh and Au, and more preferably one or more of Pt, Pd and Au. The Pt component may include oxides of such elements.

The amount of the Pt component supported on the first porous inorganic oxide is up to 1 weight %, preferably 0.001∝0.5 weight %, and more preferably 0.001-0.1 weight % (on a metal basis) based on the first porous inorganic oxide. The amount of the Pt component more than 1 weight % disadvantageously decreases the removal efficiency of the Ag component.

Preparation of the first catalyst

The first catalyst is prepared by carrying on the first porous inorganic oxide the Ag component alone or in combination with the W component or Pt component in a manner described below.

The catalytically active components of the first catalyst may be carried by the first porous inorganic oxide by known methods such as impregnation, precipitation, etc. For example, the first porous inorganic oxide is impregnated with an aqueous mixed solution of ammonium salts, oxalates, sulfates, carbonates, nitrates, chlorides, etc. of the elements to be carried by the inorganic oxide, or successively impregnated with an aqueous solution of each element to be carried. For example, the Ag component may be supported by immersing a first porous inorganic oxide into an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, silver sulfate, etc. When silver chloride is intended to be supported, the first porous inorganic oxide impregnated with an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, silver sulfate, etc. is further immersed in an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride to precipitate silver chloride. The Pt component may be supported by immersing a first porous inorganic oxide into an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid, chloroauric acid, palladium chloride, etc. The W component may be supported by immersing a first porous inorganic oxide into an aqueous solution of an ammonium salt of tungstic acid, vanadic acid, molybdic acid, etc. in the presence of oxalic acid, etc. The first porous inorganic oxide thus impregnated is dried at 50°-150° C., preferably at about 70° C. The dried material is then heated while elevating the temperature stepwise from 100° C. to 600° C. to be calcined in air, oxygen-containing atmosphere, nitrogen atmosphere or hydrogen stream. When the heating is conducted in a nitrogen atmosphere or in a hydrogen stream, it is preferred to finally conduct an oxidation treatment at 300°-650° C.

The first and second catalyst may be carried by the cleaner substrate as described above by known methods such as a wash-coating method, a powder method, etc. The thickness of the first catalyst carried by the cleaner substrate is preferably up to 300 μm, more preferably up to 200 μm, though it is usually restricted by the difference in a thermal expansion coefficients between the first catalyst and the cleaner substrate. With this thickness, it is possible to prevent the cleaner from being broken by a thermal shock, etc. during NOx-removing operations.

The amount of the first catalyst coated onto a surface of the cleaner substrate is preferably 20-300 g/liter, more preferably 50-250 g/liter based on the cleaner substrate. When the amount of the first catalyst is less than 20 g/liter, a sufficient removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides cannot be achieved. On the other hand, an amount more than 300 g/liter gives no detectable increase in removal efficiency, but results in a higher loss of pressure.

Second catalyst

The second catalyst comprises a second porous inorganic oxide supporting a Pt component or a W component.

Second porous inorganic oxide

Preferred materials for the second porous inorganic oxide include porous, heat-resistant ceramics having a large specific surface area such as titania, alumina, zirconia, silica, and their composite oxides. Particularly preferred materials for the second porous inorganic oxide are titania and composite oxides containing titania.

W component

The W component is one or more of W, V, Mn, Mo, Nb and Ta, preferably one or more of W, V, Mo and Mn, and more preferably W and/or V. The W component may include oxides of such elements.

The amount of the W component supported on the second porous inorganic oxide is up to 10 weight %, preferably 0.01-10 weight %, more preferably 0.2-8 weight %, and particularly preferably 0.5-5 weight % (on a metal basis) based on the second porous inorganic oxide. The amount of the W component more than 10 weight % gives no additional effect in improving the removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides. The W component makes it possible to remove the nitrogen oxides by the reducing action of ammonia.

Pt component

The Pt component is one or more of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir and Au, preferably one or more of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh and Au, and more preferably one or more of Pt, Pd and Au. The Pt component may include oxides of such elements.

The amount of the Pt component supported on the second porous inorganic oxide is up to 5 weight %, preferably 0.01-5 weight %, and more preferably 0.1-4 weight % (on a metal basis) based on the second porous inorganic oxide. An amount of the Pt component more than 5 weight % disadvantageously decreases the removal efficiency of the Ag component.

The Pt component may further contain known oxidation catalysts, alkaline earth metals, rare earth metals, etc. to improve the durability of the Pt component.

Preparation of the second catalyst

The second catalyst is prepared by supporting on the second porous inorganic oxide the Pt component alone or in combination with the W component in the same manner as in the preparation of the first catalyst.

A weight ratio of the first catalyst to the second catalyst is 10:1 to 1:2, preferably 9:1 to 1:1. When the weight is less than 1:2 (when the percentage of the first catalyst is too small), a sufficiently high removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides cannot be achieved over a wide temperature range of 150°-650° C. On the other hand, when the weight ratio is higher than 10:1 (when the percentage of the first catalyst is too large), the ammonia generated on the first catalyst is exhausted without reacting with the nitrogen oxides to increase the ammonia content in the exhaust gas.

With the exhaust gas cleaner described above, the nitrogen oxides in an exhaust gas containing about 10% of moisture 5 can be effectively removed over a wide temperature range of 150°-650° C. The ammonia generated by the first catalyst preferentially reacts with nitrogen dioxide to reduce the content of harmful nitrogen dioxide in the exhaust gas. In particular, the exhaust gas cleaner of the present invention shows high removal of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons even in a low temperature range, e.g., 150°-350° C. when the exhaust gas contains a small amount (5 ppm or less) or substantially no sulfur oxides.

Method for removing NOx

The exhaust gas cleaner is disposed in a flow path of the exhaust gas, with the first catalyst on the inlet side and the second catalyst on the outlet side.

The exhaust gas usually contains residual hydrocarbons such as ethylene, propylene, etc. to some extent. Since the exhaust gas generally does not contain sufficient amounts of residual hydrocarbons to reduce all nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas, at least one reducing agent should be introduced into the exhaust gas. A site for introducing the reducing agent is an upstream side of the exhaust gas cleaner.

The reducing agent includes hydrocarbons and oxygen containing organic compounds having at least two carbon atoms. A fuel containing such reducing agent may be used.

The hydrocarbons used as the reducing agent include alkanes, alkenes and alkynes which may be gaseous or liquid in the normal state (25° C., 1 atm). The gaseous hydrocarbons may be alkanes, alkenes or alkynes each having 2 or more carbon atoms, such as propane, propylene, acetylene, etc. The liquid hydrocarbons may be heptane, cetane, kerosene, diesel oil, light oil, gasoline, heavy oil, etc. The liquid hydrocarbons preferably have a boiling point 50°-350° C.

The oxygen-containing organic compounds having at least two carbon atoms may be alcohols such as ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, etc.

The weight ratio of the reducing agent/nitrogen oxides is preferably 0.1-5, more preferably 0.2-4. When the weight ratio is less than 0.1, the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides its low. On the other hand, when the weight ratio is more than 5, fuel efficiency is low.

The fuel to be introduced into the exhaust gas together with the reducing agent may be gasoline, light oil, kerosene, etc. The fuel containing the reducing agent may be introduced in an amount such that the weight ratio of the reducing agent/nitrogen oxides in the exhaust gas is 0.1-5.

To efficiently reduce the nitrogen oxides with the oxygen-containing organic compounds, hydrocarbons or ammonia, the overall apparent space velocity of the exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas cleaner is 500,000 h⁻¹ or less. An overall apparent space velocity exceeding 500,000 h⁻¹ causes insufficient reduction of the nitrogen oxides to result in poor removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides. The preferred overall apparent space velocity is 450,000 h⁻¹ or less, and more preferred is 300,000 h⁻¹ or less.

The space velocity of the exhaust gas passing through the first catalyst is 200,000 h⁻¹ or less, preferably 150,000 h⁻¹ or less. A space velocity at the first catalyst exceeding 200,000 h⁻¹ causes insufficient reduction of the nitrogen oxides to result in poor removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides.

The space velocity of the exhaust gas passing through the second catalyst is 250,000 h⁻¹ or less, preferably 200,000 h⁻¹ or less. A space velocity at the second catalyst exceeding 250,000 h⁻¹ causes a poor removal of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide by oxidation. When the exhaust gas contains SO₂, the space velocity at the second catalyst is preferred to be 10,000-250,000 h⁻¹, because SO₂ is likely to be preferentially oxidized when the space velocity is lower than 10,000 h⁻¹.

The exhaust gas passing through the exhaust gas cleaner where the reducing agent is reacted with the nitrogen oxides is kept at 150°-650°, preferably 250°-600° C. When the temperature of the exhaust gas is lower than 150° C., the nitrogen oxides cannot be sufficiently reduced by the reducing agent. On the other hand, when the temperature of the exhaust gas is higher than 650° C., the reducing agent is burned, thus failing to reduce the nitrogen oxides effectively.

The present invention will be described in further detail by way of the following Examples. Incidentally, the catalytic active components are generally expressed by metals themselves for simplicity in the Examples.

EXAMPLE 1

10 g of commercially available γ-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate to support 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag based on the γ-alumina pellets. The resultant pellets were dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined to prepare a first catalyst (Ag).

Separately, 2 g of γ-alumina pellets of the same type as above were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to carry 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of 1.8 g of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate, 1.0 g of oxalic acid and 6.2 ml of water to further carry 1 weight % (metal basis) of W. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried γ-alumina pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/W).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 0.6 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 1 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state: 25° C., 1 atm), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of about 30,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 2 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 1     ______________________________________     Component       Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide                     1000 ppm (dry basis)     Carbon dioxide  10 volume % (dry basis)     Oxygen          10 volume % (dry basis)     Ethanol         1250 ppm (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen        Balance     ______________________________________     Water           10 volume % of the total volume                     of the above components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. The removal ratio was calculated from the equation: (initial concentration--concentration after passing)/(initial concentration)×100. The results are shown in Table 2.

EXAMPLE 2

In the same manner as in Example 1, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 10 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag).

Separately, γ-alumina powder of the same type as above was immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to carry 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting γ-alumina powder was immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate and oxalic acid in 30 ml of water to prepare a slurry. The content of V based on the γ-alumina powder was 1 weight % (metal basis). 0.25 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 2.5 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 1 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/v).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 1, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 1. The results are shown in Table 2.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

In the same manner as in Example 1, a catalyst comprising γ-alumina pellets carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged in a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. The same tests as in Example 1 were conducted on the exhaust gas cleaner thus obtained. The results are shown in Table 2.

                  TABLE 2     ______________________________________              Removal Ratio of Nitrogen Oxides (%)     Temp. (°C.)                Ex. 1       Ex. 2  Com. Ex. 1     ______________________________________     300        60.8        68.5   50.2     350        75.2        80.7   65.8     400        85.7        90.0   75.1     450        80.0        90.5   70 5     500        65.3        70.4   60.1     550        60.4        64.0   50.4     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 2, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 1 and 2 showed high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides over a wide temperature range of the exhaust gas. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 1 which includes only the Ag component shows a lower removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides as compared with those of Examples 1 and 2.

EXAMPLE 3

The same exhaust gas cleaner as prepared in Example 1 was evaluated on its removal efficiency by passing through it a test gas having the composition shown in Table 3 which contained propylene as the reducing agent. The test was conducted by passing the test gas at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of 30,000 h⁻¹ at an exhaust gas shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 3     ______________________________________     Component       Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide                     800 ppm (dry basis)     Carbon monoxide 100 ppm (dry basis)     Oxygen          10 volume % (dry basis)     Propylene       1714 ppm (dry basis, three                     times the weight of nitrogen                     monoxide)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen        Balance     ______________________________________     Water           10 volume % of the total                     volume of the above components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. Similarly, the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were measured by a CO-meter and HC-meter to determine the removal ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The results are shown in Table 4.

EXAMPLE 4

The same exhaust gas cleaner as prepared in Example 2 was evaluated on its removal efficiency in the same manner as in Example 3. The results are shown in Table 4.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

The same exhaust gas cleaner prepared in Comparative Example 1 was evaluated in its removal efficiency in the same manner as in Example 3. The results are shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 4     ______________________________________     Removal Ratios of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),     Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC)     Temperature                Removed   Removal Ratio (%)     (°C.)                Components                          Ex. 3    Ex. 4                                        Com. Ex. 2     ______________________________________     300        NOx       5        10   0                CO        90.5     90.8 40                HC        66       66   30     350        NOx       20       25   0                CO        95.7     95.5 60                HC        71       76   35     400        NOx       45       50   20                CO        100      100  70                HC        96       95   40     450        NOx       65       70   60                CO        100      100  70                HC        98       98   65     500        NOx       60       65   55                CO        100      100  80                HC        100      100  70     550        NOx       35       50   25                CO        100      100  90                HC        100      100  85     600        NOx       20       25   10                CO        100      100  98                HC        100      100  90     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 4, the exhaust gas cleaners of 3 and 4 showed high removal ratios of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons over a wide temperature range of the exhaust gas. In addition, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 3 and 4 showed excellent removal ratio of carbon monoxide higher than 90%. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 2 which included the Ag component alone was effective for removal of nitrogen oxides over only a narrow temperature range of the exhaust gas, and showed poor removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

EXAMPLE 5

10 g of commercially available silica-alumina powder (SiO₂ content: 5 weight %, specific surface area: 350 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate to carry 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag based on the silica-alumina powder. The resultant powder was then dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined. The powder thus treated was formed into pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm) to obtain a first catalyst (Ag).

Separately, 2 g of titania pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 350 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to carry 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate, oxalic acid and water to further carry 3 weight % (metal basis) of V. The titania pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried titania pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/V).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3.6 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 1.2 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 5 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an apparent space velocity at the first catalyst of about 30,000 h⁻¹, and an apparent space velocity at the second catalyst of about 100,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 6 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 5     ______________________________________     Component       Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide                     800 ppm (dry basis)     Oxygen          10 volume % (dry basis)     Carbon monoxide 100 ppm (dry basis)     Ethanol         three times the weight of                     nitrogen monoxide (dry basis)     Propylene       100 ppm (dry basis)     Sulfur dioxide  80 ppm (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen        Balance     ______________________________________     Water           10 volume % of the total volume                     of the above components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. Similarly, the concentrations carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbon (propylene) were measured by a CO-meter, SOx-meter and HC-meter to determine each removal ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon and the oxidation ratio of sulfur dioxide. However, the removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon were determined on the test gas containing no ethanol. The results are shown in Table 6.

EXAMPLE 6

In the same manner as in Example 5, silica-alumina powder supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the silica-alumina powder thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm; length: 12.5 mm; 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag).

Separately, titania powder (specific surface area: 50 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to carry 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting titania powder was further dispersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate and oxalic acid in water to prepare a slurry of titania powder further carrying 3 weight % (metal basis) of W. 0.4 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 4.2 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 5 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/W).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 5, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 5 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 6.

EXAMPLE 7

In the same manner as in Example 6, a first exhaust gas cleaner part supporting a first catalyst (Ag) was prepared. Further, in the same manner as in Example 6, a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying a second catalyst (Pt/W/V) was obtained by coating titania powder carrying 1 weight % of Pt, 2 weight % of W and 3 weight % of V, each based on metal basis, on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter.

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged into a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 5, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 5 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 6.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

In the same manner as in Example 5, a catalyst comprising silica-alumina pellets supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged into a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. Tests were conducted under the same conditions as in Example 5 (overall apparent space velocity: about 30,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 6.

                  TABLE 6     ______________________________________     Removal Ratios of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),     Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC), and     Oxidation Ratio of Sulfur Dioxide (SO.sub.2)     Temperature              Removed   Removal Ratio and Oxidation Ratio (%)     (°C.)              Components                        Ex. 5   Ex. 6                                     Ex. 7 Com. Ex. 3     ______________________________________     250      NOx       18      15   20    12              CO        80      75   70    15              HC        50      45   50    10              SO.sub.2  --      --   --    --     300      NOx       50      48   55    30              CO        90      89   88    40              HC        65      65   68    32              SO.sub.2  --      --   --    --     350      NOx       70      65   72    50              CO        95      95   95    60              HC        70      70   70    32              SO.sub.2  --      --   --    --     400      NOx       85      88   82    60              CO        100     100  100   70              HC        95      95   94    40              SO.sub.2  --      --   --    --     450      NOx       78      80   74    70              CO        100     100  100   70              HC        98      98   96    65              SO.sub.2  7       7    7     --     500      NOx       70.5    74   72    60.2              CO        100     100  100   80              HC        100     100  100   885              SO.sub.2  12      12   12    --     550      NOx       50.5    55   52.1  52              CO        100     100  100   90              HC        100     100  100   85              SO.sub.2  15      15   15    --     600      NOx       10      20   15    20              CO        100     100  100   98              HC        100     100  100   90              SO.sub.2  20      20   20    --     ______________________________________

As seen from Table 6, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 5-7 showed high removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides over a wide temperature range as well as high removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons even over a lower temperature range. In addition, the use of alumina-based composite oxide prevented SO₂ from being preferentially oxidized. Thus, the exhaust gas cleaner of Examples 5-7 showed removal efficiency superior to that of Comparative Example 3.

EXAMPLE 8

10 g of commercially available y-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, and dried at 80° C. for 2 hours in air and 180° C. for 2 hours in dry nitrogen stream. After cooling to room temperature in dry nitrogen stream, the γ-alumina pellets thus obtained were then immersed in an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (0.5 g ammonium chloride in 20 ml water) for 12 hours to convert the silver nitrate on the γ-alumina pellets into the silver chloride precipitate, thereby obtaining the γ-alumina pellets supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of silver chloride. The γ-alumina pellets thus obtained were dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined to prepare a first catalyst (AgCl).

Separately, 2 g of γ-alumina pellets of the same type as above were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to carry 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of 1.8 g of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate, 1.0 g of oxalic acid and 6.2 ml of water to further carry 1 weight % (metal basis) of W. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried γ-alumina pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/W).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 0.6 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 1 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of about 30,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 7 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. The results are shown in Table 7.

EXAMPLE 9

In the same manner as in Example 8, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 10 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (AgCl).

Separately, γ-alumina powder of the same type as above was immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting γ-alumina powder was immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate and oxalic acid in 30 ml of water to prepare a slurry. The content of V based on the γ-alumina powder was 1 weight % (metal basis). 0.25 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 2.5 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 8 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/V).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 8, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 1. The results are shown in Table 7.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

In the same manner as in Example 8, a catalyst comprising γ-alumina pellets carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged in a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. The same tests as in Example 8 were conducted on the exhaust gas cleaner thus obtained. The results are shown in Table 7.

                  TABLE 7     ______________________________________              Removal Ratio of Nitrogen Oxides (%)     Temp. (°C.)                Ex. 8       Ex. 9  Com. Ex. 4     ______________________________________     300        60.0        65.8   50.0     350        73.2        77.8   64.2     400        85.6        89.8   73.4     450        83.2        85.4   72.0     500        68.3        72.2   63.0     550        62.3        68.3   3.2     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 7, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 8 and 9 showed high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides in a wide temperature range of the exhaust gas. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 4 which includes only the Ag component, shows a lower removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides as compared with those of Examples 8 and 9.

EXAMPLE 10

10 g of commercially available γ-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate to carry 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag based on the γ-alumina pellets. The resultant pellets were dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined. The γ-alumina pellets thus obtained were further immersed in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium molybdate, oxalic acid and water to further carry 0.06 weight % (metal basis) of Mo. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were subjected to drying and calcination in the same manner as above to obtain a first catalyst (Ag/Mo).

Separately, 2 g of γ-alumina pellets of the same type as above were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to carry 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried γ-alumina pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 0.6 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 1 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of about 30,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 2 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 8     ______________________________________     Component        Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide                      800 ppm (dry basis)     Carbon dioxide   10 volume % (dry basis)     Oxygen           10 volume % (dry basis)     Ethanol          three times the weight of                      nitrogen monoxide (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen         Balance     ______________________________________     Water            volume % of the total volume                      of the above components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. The results are shown in Table 9.

EXAMPLE 11

In the same manner as in Example 10, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag and 0.06 weight % (metal basis) of Mo was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 10 mm, 400 cells/in²) dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag/Mo).

Separately, γ-alumina powder of the same type as above was dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to obtain a slurry of γ-alumina powder carrying 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. 0.25 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 2.5 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 10 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 10, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 8. The results are shown in Table 9.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 5

In the same manner as in Example 10, a catalyst comprising γ-alumina pellets supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged in a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. The same tests as in Example 10 were conducted on the exhaust gas cleaner thus obtained. The results are shown in Table 9.

                  TABLE 9     ______________________________________             Removal Ratio of Nitrogen Oxides (%)     Temp. (°C.)               Ex. 10       Ex. 11  Com. Ex. 5     ______________________________________     250       80.0         88.0    30.0     300       89.8         92.5    50.2     350       80.2         90.0    65.8     400       65.0         76.0    75.1     450       48.0         53.5    70.5     500       40.3         43.4    60.1     550       38.4         43.0    50.4     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 9, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 10 and 11 showed high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides over a wide temperature range, in particular, over a lower temperature range of the exhaust gas. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 5 which included the Ag component alone showed a lower removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides as compared with those of Examples 10 and 11.

EXAMPLE 12

The same exhaust gas cleaner as prepared in Example 10 was evaluated on its removal efficiency by passing through it a test gas having the composition shown in Table 10 which contained propylene as the reducing agent. The test was conducted by passing the test gas at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of 30,000 h⁻¹, at an exhaust gas temperatures shown in Table 4.

                  TABLE 10     ______________________________________     Component       Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide                     800 ppm (dry basis)     Carbon monoxide 100 ppm (dry basis)     Oxygen          10 volume % (dry basis)     Propylene       1714 ppm (dry basis, three                     times the weight of nitrogen                     monoxide)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen        Balance     ______________________________________     Water           10 volume % of the total                     volume of the above components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. Similarly, the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were measured by a CO-meter and HC-meter to determine the removal ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The results are shown in Table 11.

EXAMPLE 13

The same exhaust gas cleaner as prepared in Example 11 was evaluated on its removal efficiency in the same manner as in Example 12. The results are shown in Table 11.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 6

The same exhaust gas cleaner as prepared in Comparative Example 5 was evaluated on its removal efficiency in the same manner as in Example 12. The results are shown in Table 11.

                  TABLE 11     ______________________________________     Removal Ratios of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),     Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC)     Temperature              Removed    Removal Ratio %     (°C.)              Components Ex. 12   Ex. 13 Com. Ex. 6     ______________________________________     300      NOx        0        5      0              CO         90.5     90.8   40              HC         66       66     30     350      NOx        10       15     0              CO         95.7     95.5   60              HC         71       76     35     400      NOx        30       35     20              CO         100      100    70              HC         96       95     40     450      NOx        65       70     60              CO         100      100    70              HC         98       98     65     500      NOx        55       60     55              CO         100      100    80              HC         100      100    70     550      NOx        35       35     25              CO         100      100    90              HC         100      100    85     600      NOx        20       25     10              CO         100      100    98              HC         100      100    90     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 11, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 12 and 13 showed high removal ratios of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons over a wide temperature range of the exhaust gas. In addition, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 12 and 13 showed an excellent removal ratio of carbon monoxide greater than 90%. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 6 which included only the Ag component was effective for removal of nitrogen oxides over only a narrow temperature range of the exhaust gas, and showed poor removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

EXAMPLE 14

10 g of commercially available γ-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, and dried at 80° C. for 2 hours in air and 180° C. for 2 hours in dry nitrogen stream. After cooling to room temperature in dry nitrogen stream, the γ-alumina pellets thus obtained were then immersed in an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (0.5 g ammonium chloride in 20 ml water) for 12 hours to convert the silver nitrate on the γ-alumina pellets into a silver chloride precipitate, thereby obtaining γ-alumina pellets supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of silver chloride. The γ-alumina pellets thus obtained were dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined. The γ-alumina pellets thus obtained were further immersed in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium molybdate, oxalic acid and water to further support 0.06 weight % (metal basis) of Mo. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were subjected to drying and calcination in the same manner as above to obtain a first catalyst (AgCl/Mo).

Separately, 2 g of γ-alumina pellets of the same type as above were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried γ-alumina pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 0.6 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 8 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of about 30,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 12 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. The results are shown in Table 12.

EXAMPLE 15

In the same manner as in Example 14, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl and 0.06 weight % (metal basis) of Mo was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 10 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (AgCl/Mo).

Separately, γ-alumina powder of the same type as above was dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to obtain a slurry of γ-alumina powder supporting 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. 0.25 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 2.5 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 14 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 14, tests were conducted using the tests gas having the composition shown in Table 8. The results are shown in Table 12.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 7

In the same manner as in Example 14, a catalyst comprising γ-alumina pellets carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged in a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. The same tests as in Example 14 were conducted on the exhaust gas cleaner thus obtained. The results are shown in Table 12.

                  TABLE 12     ______________________________________             Removal Ratio of Nitrogen Oxides (%)     Temp. (°C.)               Ex. 14       Ex. 15  Com. Ex. 7     ______________________________________     250       78.2         86.5    28.3     300       86.5         92.0    48.2     350       83.0         90.2    63.2     400       67.3         78.2    76.5     450       52.3         58.6    72.2     500       44.8         46.2    62.2     550       42.2         45.6    52.3     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 12, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 14 and 14 showed high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides over a wide temperature range, in particular, over a lower temperature range of the exhaust gas. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 7 which included the Ag component alone showed a lower removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides as compared with those of Examples 14 and 15.

EXAMPLE 16

10 g of commercially available silica-alumina powder (SiO₂ content: 5 weight %, specific surface area: 350 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate to support 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag based on the silica-alumina powder. The resultant powder was then dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined. The calcined powder was further dispersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate, oxalic acid and water to further carry 0.6 weight % (metal basis) of V on the silica-alumina powder. The powder thus treated was formed into pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm), dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined to obtain a first catalyst (Ag/V).

Separately, 2 g of titania pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 350 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to carry 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate, oxalic acid and water to further carry 3 weight % (metal basis) of V. The titania pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried titania pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/V).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3.6 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 1.2 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 13 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an apparent space velocity at the first catalyst of about 30,000 h⁻¹, and an apparent space velocity at the second catalyst of about 100,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 14 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 13     ______________________________________     Component        Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide                      800 ppm (dry basis)     Oxygen           10 volume % (dry basis)     Carbon monoxide  100 ppm (dry basis)     Ethanol          three times the weight of                      nitrogen monoxide (dry basis)     Propylene        100 ppm (dry basis)     Sulfur dioxide   80 ppm (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen         Balance     ______________________________________     Water            10 volume % of the total                      volume of the above                      components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. Similarly, the concentration of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbon (propylene) were measured by a CO-meter, SOx-meter and HC-meter to determine each removal ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon and the oxidation ratio of sulfur dioxide. However, the removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon were determined on the test gas containing no ethanol. The results are shown in Table 14.

EXAMPLE 17

In the same manner as in Example 16, silica-alumina powder supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag and 0.6 weight % (metal basis) of V was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the silica-alumina powder thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 12.5 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag/V).

Separately, titania powder (specific surface area: 50 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting titania powder was further dispersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate and oxalic acid in water to prepare a slurry of titania powder further carrying 3 weight % (metal basis) of W. 0.4 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 2.5 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 16 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/W).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 16, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 13 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 14.

EXAMPLE 18

In the same manner as in Example 17, a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying a first catalyst (Ag/V) was prepared. Further, in the same manner as in Example 17, a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying a second catalyst (Pt/W/V) was obtained by coating titania powder carrying 1 weight % of Pt, 2 weight % of W and 3 weight % of V, each based on metal basis, on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter.

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 16, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 13 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 14.

EXAMPLE 19

In the same manner as in Example 17, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag and 0.6 weight % (metal basis) of V was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 12.5 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag/V).

Separately, in the same manner as in Example 17, a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/W) was prepared.

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 16, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 13 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 14.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 8

In the same manner as in Example 16, a catalyst comprising silica-alumina pellets supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged into a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. Tests were conducted under the same conditions as in Example 16 (overall apparent space velocity: about 30,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 14.

                  TABLE 14     ______________________________________     Removal Ratios of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),     Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC), and     Oxidation Ratio of Sulfur Dioxide (SO.sub.2)     Temper-          Removal Ratio and Oxidation Ratio (%)     ature  Removed                             Com.     (°C.)            Components                      Ex. 16  Ex. 17                                    Ex. 18                                          Ex. 19                                                Ex. 18     ______________________________________     250    NOx       35      30    40    30    12            CO        45      42    38    42    15            HC        30      29    32    48    10            SO.sub.2  --      --    --    --    --     300    NOx       60      55    65    62    30            CO        68      65    64    68    40            HC        53      50    59    52    32            SO.sub.2  --      --    --    --    --     350    NOx       74      70    78    75    50            CO        85      80    80    82    60            HC        70      70    70    72    32            SO.sub.2  --      --    --    --    --     400    NOx       85      88    85    88    60            CO        100     100   100   100   70            HC        95      95    94    96    40            SO.sub.2  5       5     5     5     --     450    NOx       74      76    70    74    70            CO        100     100   100   100   70            HC        98      98    96    98    65            SO.sub.2  7       7     7     7.8   --     500    NOx       60      65    63    62    60.2            CO        100     100   100   100   80            HC        100     100   100   100   70            SO.sub.2  12      12    12    12.5  --     550    NOx       40      44    42    40    52            CO        100     100   100   100   90            HC        100     100   100   100   85            SO.sub.2  15      15    15    16    --     600    NOx       10      20    15    --    20            CO        100     100   100   --    98            HC        100     100   100   --    90            SO.sub.2  20      20    20    22    --     ______________________________________

As seen from the Table 14, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 16-19 showed high removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides over a wide temperature range as well as high removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons even over a lower temperature range. In addition, the use of alumina-based composite oxide prevented S02 from being preferentially oxidized. Thus, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 16-19 showed removal efficiency superior to that of Comparative Example 8.

EXAMPLE 20

10 g of commercially available γ-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate to carry 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag based on the γ-alumina pellets. The resultant pellets were dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined. The calcined pellets were further immersed in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium molybdate, oxalic acid in water to further carry 0.06 weight % (metal basis) of Mo on the γ-alumina pellets. The pellets thus treated were dried and heated as above to obtain a first catalyst (Ag/Mo).

Separately, 2 g of γ-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, and then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate, oxalic acid and water to further carry 3 weight % (metal basis) of V. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried γ-alumina pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/V).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3.6 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 1.2 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 15 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an apparent space velocity at the first catalyst of about 30,000 h⁻¹, and an apparent space velocity at the second catalyst of about 100,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 16 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 15     ______________________________________     Component        Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide                      800 ppm (dry basis)     Oxygen           10 volume % (dry basis)     Carbon monoxide  100 ppm (dry basis)     Ethanol          three times the weight of                      nitrogen monoxide (dry basis)     Propylene        100 ppm (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen         Balance     ______________________________________     Water            10 volume % of the total                      volume of the above                      components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. Similarly, the concentration of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon (propylene) were measured by a CO-meter and HC-meter to determine the removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon. However, the removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon were determined on the test gas containing no ethanol. The results are shown in Table 16.

EXAMPLE 21

In the same manner as in Example 5, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag and 0.06 weight % (metal basis) of Mo was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 12.5 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag/Mo).

Separately, titania powder (specific surface area: 50 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting titania powder was further dispersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate and oxalic acid in water to prepare a slurry of titania powder further supporting 3 weight % (metal basis) of W. 0.4 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 4.2 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 20 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/W).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 20, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 15 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 16.

EXAMPLE 22

In the same manner as in Example 21, a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying a first catalyst (Ag/Mo) was prepared. Further, in the same manner as in Example 21, a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying a second catalyst (Pt/W/V) was obtained by coating titania powder carrying 1 weight % of Pt, 1 weight % of W and 2 weight % of V, each based on metal basis, on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter.

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 20, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 15 (apparent velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 16.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 9

In the same manner as in Example 20, a catalyst comprising γ-alumina pellets carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged in a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. Tests were conducted under the same conditions as in Example 20 (overall apparent space velocity: about 30,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 16.

                  TABLE 16     ______________________________________     Removal Ratios of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),     Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC)     Temperature             Removed   Removal Ratio (%)     (°C.)             Components                       Ex. 20   Ex. 21                                      Ex. 22                                            Com. Ex. 9     ______________________________________     200     NOx       45       40    50    0             CO        35       30    35    10             HC        22       20    20    5     250     NOx       70       68    72    30             CO        45       40    40    20             HC        37       35    32    15     300     NOx       90       88    92    65             CO        70       70    68    45             HC        60       60    58    37     350     NOx       74       75    74    75             CO        80       80    79    65             HC        72       70    70    38     400     NOx       65       72    64    80             CO        100      100   100   75             HC        100      100   100   45     450     NOx       55       58    52    80             CO        100      100   100   75             HC        100      100   100   70     500     NOx       40       42    38    70             CO        100      100   100   85             HC        100      100   100   75     550     NOx       30       32    25    40             CO        100      100   100   95             HC        100      100   100   90     ______________________________________

As seen from Table 16, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 20-22 showed high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons over a wide temperature range, in particular, high removal ratios even over a temperature range lower than 350° C. Thus, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 20-22 showed removal efficiency superior to that of Comparative Example 9.

EXAMPLE 23

10 g of commercially available silica-alumina powder (SiO₂ content: 5 weight %, specific surface area: 350 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, and dried at 80° C. for 2 hours in air and 180° C. for 2 hours in dry nitrogen stream. After cooling to room temperature in dry nitrogen stream, the silica-alumina powder thus obtained was then immersed in an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (0.5 g ammonium chloride in 20 ml water) for 12 hours to convert the silver nitrate on the silica-alumina powder into the silver chloride precipitate, thereby obtaining the silica-alumina powder supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl. The resultant powder was then dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined. The calcined powder was further dispersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate, oxalic acid and water to further carry 0.6 weight % (metal basis) of V on the silica-alumina powder. The powder thus treated was formed into pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm), dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined to obtain a first catalyst (AgCl/V).

Separately, 2 g of titania pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 350 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate, oxalic acid and water to further carry 3 weight % (metal basis) of V. The titania pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried titania/pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/V).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3.6 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 1.2 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 17 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an apparent space velocity at the first catalyst of about 30,000 h⁻¹, and an apparent space velocity at the second catalyst of about 100,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 18 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 17     ______________________________________     Component         Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide 1000 ppm (dry basis)     Carbon dioxide    10 volume % (dry basis)     Oxygen            10 volume % (dry basis)     Ethanol           1250 ppm (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen          Balance     ______________________________________     Water             10 volume % of the total                       volume of the above                       components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. The results are shown in Table 18.

EXAMPLE 24

In the same manner as in Example 23, silica-alumina powder supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl and 0.6 weight % (metal basis) of V was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the silica-alumina powder thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 12.5 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (AgCl/V).

Separately, titania powder (specific surface area: 50 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting titania powder was further dispersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate and oxalic acid in water to prepare a slurry of titania powder further carrying 3 weight % (metal basis) of W. 0.4 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 2.5 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 16 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/W).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 23, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 17 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 18.

EXAMPLE 25

In the same manner as in Example 23, a first exhaust gas cleaner part supporting a first catalyst (AgCl/V) was prepared. Further, in the same manner as in Example 23, a second exhaust gas cleaner part supporting a second catalyst (Pt/W/V) was obtained by coating titania powder carrying 1 weight % of Pt, 2 weight % of W and 3 weight % of V, each based on metal basis, onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter.

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 23, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 17 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 18.

EXAMPLE 26

In the same manner as in Example 25, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area 200 m² /g) supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl and 0.6 weight t (metal basis) of V was prepared. Then, 1.0 g 20 of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 12.5 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (AgCl/V).

Separately, in the same manner as in Example 25, a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/W) was prepared.

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 23, tests were conducted using the tests gas having the composition shown in Table 17 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 18.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 10

In the same manner as in Example 23, a catalyst comprising silica-alumina pellets supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged into a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. Tests were conducted under the same conditions as in Example 23 (overall apparent space velocity: about 30,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 18.

                  TABLE 18     ______________________________________            Removal Ratio of Nitrogen Oxides (%)     Temp. (°C.)              Ex. 23  Ex. 24   Ex. 25                                     Ex. 26 Com. Ex. 10     ______________________________________     250      32      28       38    28     10     300      56      53       64    60     28     350      70      68       76    74     46     400      84      86       83    86     58     450      76      78       73    79     73     500      65      70       68    67     63     550      45      50       48    45     55     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 18, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 23-26 showed high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides over a wide temperature range as compared with Comparative Example 10 which included the Ag component alone.

EXAMPLE 27

10 g of commercially available γ-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 ml/g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate to support 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag based on the γ-alumina pellets. The alumina pellets thus obtained were further immersed in an aqueous solution of palladium chloride to further support 0.01 weight % (metal basis) of Pd. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined to obtain a first catalyst (Ag/Pd).

Separately, 2 g of γ-alumina pellets of the same type as above were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to 15 carry 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of 1.8 g of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate, 1.0 g of oxalic acid and 6.2 ml of water to further carry 1 weight % (metal basis) of W. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried γ-alumina pellets were then heated from 120° C. to :00° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/W).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 0.6 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 19 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of about 30,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 20 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 19     ______________________________________     Component         Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide 1000 ppm (dry basis)     Carbon dioxide    10 volume % (dry basis)     Oxygen            10 volume % (dry basis)     Ethanol           1250 ppm (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen          Balance     ______________________________________     Water             10 volume % of the total                       volume of the above                       components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. The results are shown in Table 20.

EXAMPLE 28

In the same manner as in Example 27, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag and 0.01 weight % (metal basis) of Pd was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 10 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag/Pd).

Separately, γ-alumina powder of the same type as above was immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting γ-alumina powder was immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate and oxalic acid in 30 ml of water to prepare a slurry. The content of V based on the γ-alumina powder was 1 weight % (metal basis) 0.25 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 2.5 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in the preparation of the second catalyst of Example 27 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/V).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged into a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 1, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 19. The results are shown in Table 20.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 11

In the same manner as in Example 27, a catalyst comprising γ-alumina pellets carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged in a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. The same tests as in Example 27 were conducted on the exhaust gas cleaner thus obtained. The results are shown in Table 20.

                  TABLE 20     ______________________________________             Removal Ratio of Nitrogen Oxides (%)     Temp. (°C.)               Ex. 27       Ex. 28  Com. Ex. 11     ______________________________________     300       76.8         80.5    50.2     350       90.2         96.7    65.8     400       90.7         97.0    75.1     450       87.7         94.5    70.5     500       72.3         85.4    60.1     550       60.4         64.0    50.4     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 20, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 27 and 28 showed high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides in a wide temperature range of the exhaust gas. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 11 which included only the Ag component showed a lower removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides as compared with those of Examples 27 and 28.

EXAMPLE 29

The same exhaust gas cleaner as prepared in Example 27 was evaluated on its removal efficiency by passing through it a test gas having the composition shown in Table 21 which contained propylene as the reducing agent. The test was conducted by passing the test gas at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of 30,000 h⁻¹ at an exhaust gas temperatures shown in Table 22.

                  TABLE 21     ______________________________________     Component         Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide 800 ppm (dry basis)     Carbon monoxide   100 ppm (dry basis)     Oxygen            10 volume % (dry basis)     Propylene         1714 ppm (dry basis,                       three times the weight of                       nitrogen monoxide)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen          Balance     ______________________________________     Water             10 volume % of the total                       volume of the above                       components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. Similarly, the concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons were measured by a CO-meter and HC-meter to determine the removal ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons. The results are shown in Table 22.

EXAMPLE 30

The same exhaust gas cleaner as prepared in Example 28 was evaluated on its removal efficiency in the same manner as in Example 29. The results are shown in Table 22.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 12

The same exhaust gas cleaner as prepared in Comparative Example 11 was evaluated on its removal efficiency in the same manner as in Example 29. The results are shown in Table 22.

                  TABLE 22     ______________________________________     Removal Ratios of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),     Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC)     Temperature              Removed    Removal Ratio (%)     (°C.)              Components Ex. 29   Ex. 30 Com. Ex. 12     ______________________________________     300      NOx        30       33     0              CO         52       52.3   40              HC         35       35     30     350      NOx        40       45     0              CO         80       82     60              HC         71       76     35     400      NOx        60       65     20              CO         100      100    70              HC         96       95     40     450      NOx        80       88     60              CO         100      100    70              HC         98       98     65     500      NOx        80       90     55              CO         100      100    80              HC         100      100    70     550      NOx        55       60     25              CO         100      100    90              HC         100      100    85     600      NOx        20       25     10              CO         100      100    98              HC         100      100    90     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 22, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 29 and 30 showed high removal ratios of nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons in a wide temperature range of the exhaust gas. In addition, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 29 and 30 showed an excellent removal ratio of carbon monoxide higher than 90%. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 12 which included only the Ag component was effective for removal of nitrogen oxides in only a narrow temperature range of the exhaust gas, and showed poor removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.

EXAMPLE 31

10 g of commercially available silica-alumina powder (SiO: content: 5 weight %, specific surface area: 350 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate to support 4 weight t (metal basis) of Ag based on the silica-alumina powder. The silica alumina powder was further dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to further support 0.01 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. The resultant powder was then dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined. The powder thus treated was formed into pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm) to obtain a first catalyst (Ag/Pt).

Separately, 2 g of titania pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 350 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate, oxalic acid and water to support 3 weight % (metal basis) of V. The titania pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried titania pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/V).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3.6 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 1.2 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 23 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an apparent space velocity at the first catalyst of about 30,000 h⁻¹, and an apparent space velocity at the second catalyst of about 100,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 24 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 23     ______________________________________     Component         Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide 800 ppm (dry basis)     Oxygen            10 volume % (dry basis)     Carbon monoxide   100 ppm (dry basis)     Ethanol           three times the weight of                       nitrogen monoxide (dry                       basis)     Propylene         100 ppm (dry basis)     Sulfur dioxide    80 ppm (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen          Balance     ______________________________________     Water             10 volume % of the total                       volume of the above                       components     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. Similarly, the concentration of carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide and hydrocarbon (propylene) were measured by a CO-meter, SOx-meter and HC-meter to determine each removal ratio of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon and the oxidation ratio of sulfur dioxide. However, the removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon were determined on the test gas containing no ethanol. The results are shown in Table 24.

EXAMPLE 32

In the same manner as in Example 31, silica-alumina powder supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag and 0.01 weight % (metal basis) of Pt was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the silica-alumina powder thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 12.5 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag/Pt).

Separately, titania powder (specific surface area: 50 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting titania powder was further dispersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate and oxalic acid in water to prepare a slurry of titania powder further carrying 3 weight % (metal basis) of W. 0.4 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 4.2 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 31 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/W).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged into a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 31, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 23 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the. second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 24.

EXAMPLE 33

In the same manner as in Example 32, a first exhaust gas cleaner part supporting a first catalyst (Ag/Pt) was prepared. Further, in the same manner as in Example 32, a second exhaust gas cleaner part supporting a second catalyst (Pt/W/V) was obtained by coating titania powder carrying 1 weight % of Pt, 2 weight % of W and 3 weight t of V, each based on metal basis, onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter.

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged into a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 31, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 23 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 24.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 13

In the same manner as in Example 31, a catalyst comprising silica-alumina pellets carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged into a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. Tests were conducted under the same conditions as in Example 31 (overall apparent space--velocity: about 30,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 24.

                  TABLE 24     ______________________________________     Removal Ratios of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),     Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC), and     Oxidation Ratio of Sulfur Dioxide (SO.sub.2)     Temperature             Removed   Removal Ratio and Oxidation Ratio (%)     (°C.)             Components                       Ex. 31   Ex. 32                                      Ex. 33                                            Com. Ex. 13     ______________________________________     250     NOx       20       18    24    12             CO        40       38    40    15             HC        30       28    31    10             SO.sub.2  --       --    --    --     300     NOx       55       50    58    30             CO        50       48    46    40             HC        40       38    40    32             SO.sub.2  --       --    --    --     350     NOx       75       70    78    50             CO        70       68    68    60             HC        45       45    42    32             SO.sub.2  --       --    --    --     400     NOx       84       85    80    60             CO        100      100   100   70             HC        95       96    95    40             SO.sub.2  5        5     5     --     450     NOx       75       78    72    70             CO        100      100   100   70             HC        98       98    98    65             SO.sub.2  7        7     7     --     500     NOx       70       72    71    60.2             CO        100      100   100   80             HC        100      100   100   70             SO.sub.2  12       12    12    --     550     NOx       50       52    50    52             CO        100      100   100   90             HC        100      100   100   85             SO.sub.2  15       15    15    --     600     NOx       10       20    15    20             CO        100      100   100   98             HC        100      100   100   90             SO.sub.2  20       20    20    --     ______________________________________

As seen from Table 24, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 31-33 showed high removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides over a wide temperature range as well as high removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons even in a lower temperature range. In addition, the use of an alumina-based composite oxide prevented SO₂ from being preferentially oxidized. Thus, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 31-33 showed removal efficiency superior to that of Comparative Example 13.

EXAMPLE 34

10 g of commercially available γ-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate to support 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag based on the γ-alumina pellets. The γ-alumina pellets were further immersed in an aqueous solution of palladium chloride to further support 0.01 weight % (metal basis) of Pd. The resultant pellets were dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined to obtain a first catalyst (Ag/Pd).

Separately, 2 g of γ-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, and then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate, oxalic acid and water to further support 3 weight % (metal basis) of V. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried γ-alumina pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/V).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3.6 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 1.2 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 25 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an apparent space velocity at the first catalyst of about 30,000 h⁻¹, and an apparent space velocity at the second catalyst of about 100,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 26 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

                  TABLE 25     ______________________________________     Component       Concentration     ______________________________________     Nitrogen monoxide                     800 ppm (dry basis)     Oxygen          10 volume % (dry basis)     Carbon monoxide 100 ppm (dry basis)     Ethanol         three times the weight of                     nitrogen monoxide (dry basis)     Propylene       100 ppm (dry basis)     ______________________________________     Nitrogen        Balance     ______________________________________     Water           10 volume % of the total                     volume of the above components.     ______________________________________

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. Similarly, the concentration of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon (propylene) were measured by a CO-meter and HC-meter to determine the removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon. However, the removal ratios of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbon were determined on the test gas containing no ethanol. The results are shown in Table 26.

EXAMPLE 35

In the same manner as in Example 34, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag and 0.01 weight % (metal basis) of Pt was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 12.5 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (Ag/Pt).

Separately, titania powder (specific surface area: 50 m² /g) was dispersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 1 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting titania powder was further dispersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate and oxalic acid in water to prepare a slurry of titania powder further supporting 3 weight % (metal basis) of W. 0.4 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated on a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 4.2 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in Example 34 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/W).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged in a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 8, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 25 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 26.

EXAMPLE 36

In the same manner as in Example 35, a first exhaust gas cleaner part supporting a first catalyst (Ag/Pt) was prepared. Further, in the same manner as in Example 35, a second exhaust gas cleaner part supporting a second catalyst (Pt/W/V) was obtained by coating titania powder carrying 1 weight % of Pt, 1 weight % of W and 2 weight % of V, each based on metal basis, onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter.

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged into a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 34, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 25 (apparent space velocity at the first catalyst: about 30,000 h⁻¹, apparent space velocity at the second catalyst: about 90,000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 26.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 14

In the same manner as in Example 34, a catalyst comprising γ-alumina pellets supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of Ag alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged into a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. Tests were conducted under the same conditions as in Example 34 (overall apparent space velocity: about 30.000 h⁻¹). The results are shown in Table 26.

                  TABLE 26     ______________________________________     Removal Ratios of Nitrogen Oxides (NOx),     Carbon Monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC)     Temperature             Removed   Removal Ratio (%)     (°C.)             Components                       Ex. 34   Ex. 35                                      Ex. 36                                            Com. Ex. 14     ______________________________________     250     NOx       50       55    58    30             CO        50       45    40    20             HC        40       36    32    15     300     NOx       77       80    82    50.2             CO        70       72    70    45             HC        60       60    58    37     350     NOx       82       96    98    65.8             CO        90       90    88    65             HC        80       80    75    38     400     NOx       90       98    95    75.2             CO        100      100   100   75             HC        100      100   100   46     450     NOx       88       95    93    70.3             CO        100      100   100   75             HC        100      100   100   70     500     NOx       73       87    80    60.5             CO        100      100   100   85             HC        100      100   100   75     550     NOx       60.5     65    60    50.5             CO        100      100   100   95             HC        100      100   100   75     ______________________________________

As seen from Table 26, in cleaning of an exhaust gas containing no sulfur oxides, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 4-36 exhibited high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in a wide temperature range. Thus, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 34-36 showed removal efficiency superior to that of Comparative Example 14.

EXAMPLE 37

10 g of commercially available γy-alumina pellets (diameter: 1.5 mm, length: 2-3 mm, specific surface area: 260 m² /g) were immersed in an aqueous solution of silver nitrate, and dried at 80° C. for 2 hours in air and 180° C. for 2 hours in dry nitrogen stream. After cooling to room temperature in dry nitrogen stream, the γ-alumina pellets thus obtained were then immersed in an aqueous solution of ammonium chloride (0.5 g ammonium chloride in 20 ml water) for 12 hours to convert the silver nitrate on the γ-alumina pellets into the silver chloride precipitate, thereby obtaining the γ-alumina pellets carrying 4 weight % (metal basis) of silver chloride. The γ alumina pellets thus obtained were further immersed in an aqueous solution of palladium chloride to further carry 0.01 weight % (metal basis) of Pd. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried and heated to 600° C. stepwise in air to be calcined to obtain a first catalyst (AgCl/Pd).

Separately, 2 g of γ-alumina pellets of the same type as above were immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt, then immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of 1.8 g of ammonium tungstate para-pentahydrate, 1.0 g of oxalic acid and 6.2 ml of water to further support 1 weight % (metal basis) of W. The γ-alumina pellets thus treated were dried in an air at 80° C. for 2 hours, at 100° C. for 2 hours and then at 120° C. for 2 hours. The dried γ-alumina pellets were then heated from 120° C. to 500° C. in a nitrogen stream containing 20% of oxygen over 5 hours 5 and calcined at 500° C. for 4 hours to prepare a second catalyst (Pt/W).

An exhaust gas cleaner was obtained by charging into a reactor tube 3 g of the first catalyst on the inlet side and 0.6 g of the second catalyst on the outlet side. Next, a test gas having the composition shown in Table 19 was caused to pass through the reactor pipe at a rate of 4.4 liters per minute (the normal state), which corresponded to an overall apparent space velocity of about 30,000 h⁻¹. The temperature of the test gas in the reactor tube was maintained at a temperature shown in Table 27 to cause a reaction of nitrogen oxides with ethanol.

The concentration of nitrogen oxides (sum of nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide) in the test gas after passing through the exhaust gas cleaner was measured by a chemiluminescence analyzer to determine the removal ratio of nitrogen oxides. The results are shown in Table 27.

EXAMPLE 38

In the same manner as in Example 37, γ-alumina powder (specific surface area: 200 m² /g) supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl and 0.01 weight % (metal basis) of Pd was prepared. Then, 1.0 g of the γ-alumina powder thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 10 mm, 400 cells/in²), dried and then heated to 600° C. stepwise to calcine the resulting material to prepare a first exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the first catalyst (AgCl/Pd).

Separately, γ-alumina powder of the same type as above was immersed in an aqueous solution of chloroplatinic acid to support 0.2 weight % (metal basis) of Pt. Then, the resulting γ-alumina powder was immersed for 30 minutes in an aqueous solution prepared by heating over a water bath a mixture of ammonium vanadate and oxalic acid in 30 ml of water to prepare a slurry. The content of V based on the γ-alumina powder was 1 weight % (metal basis). 0.25 g (dry basis) of the slurry thus obtained was coated onto a commercially available honeycomb-type cordierite filter (diameter: 30 mm, length: 2.5 mm). The cordierite filter thus treated was then dried and calcined in the same manner as in the preparation of the second catalyst of Example 37 to prepare a second exhaust gas cleaner part carrying the second catalyst (Pt/V).

With the first cleaner part on the inlet side and the second cleaner part on the outlet side, the two cleaner parts were combined and charged into a reactor pipe. Under the same conditions as in Example 37, tests were conducted using the test gas having the composition shown in Table 19. The results are shown in Table 27.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 15

In the same manner as in Example 37, a catalyst comprising γ-alumina pellets supporting 4 weight % (metal basis) of AgCl alone was prepared. 3.6 g of this catalyst was charged into a reactor pipe to obtain an exhaust gas cleaner. The same tests as in Example 37 were conducted on the exhaust gas cleaner thus obtained. The results are shown in Table 27.

                  TABLE 27     ______________________________________             Removal Ratio of Nitrogen Oxides (%)     Temp. (°C.)               Ex. 37       Ex. 38  Com. Ex. 15     ______________________________________     300       75.2         78.8    48.3     350       88.4         94.8    63.2     400       88.9         96.2    74.8     450       89.3         96.4    75.3     500       75.4         88.2    65.6     550       64.3         68.3    55.7     ______________________________________

As is clear from Table 27, the exhaust gas cleaners of Examples 37 and 38 showed high removal ratios of the nitrogen oxides in a wide temperature range of the exhaust gas. On the other hand, the exhaust gas cleaner of Comparative Example 15 which included only the Ag component showed a lower removal ratio of the nitrogen oxides as compared with those of Examples 37 and 38.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without undue experimentation and without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. The means, materials, and steps for carrying out various disclosed functions may take a variety of alternative forms without departing from the invention. Thus the expressions "means to . . . " and "means for . . . ", or any method step language, as may be found in the specification above and/or in the claims below, followed by a functional statement, are intended to define and cover whatever structural, physical, chemical or electrical element or structure, or whatever method step, which may now or in the future exist which carries out the recited function, whether or not precisely equivalent to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed in the specification above, i.e., other means or steps for carrying out the same function can be used; and it is intended that such expressions be given their broadest interpretation. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An exhaust gas cleaner for removing nitrogen oxides by reduction and unburned components of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons by oxidation from an exhaust gas discharged from a stationary combustion apparatus, a gasoline engine or a diesel engine and containing nitrogen oxides and oxygen in an amount greater than the stoichiometric amount of oxygen required for completely oxidizing said unburned components in said exhaust gas, wherein said exhaust gas cleaner consists essentially of:(a) a first catalyst disposed on an inlet side of said exhaust gas cleaner, said first catalyst consisting essentially of a first porous inorganic oxide supporting 1.6 to 8.7% by weight % of at least one silver component selected from the group consisting of Ag and compounds thereof, the weight percentage being expressed on the basis of the metal; and (b) a second catalyst disposed on an outlet side of said exhaust gas cleaner, said second catalyst consisting essentially of a second porous inorganic oxide supporting 0.1-3.8 weight % of at least one noble metal component selected from the group consisting of Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Ir, and Au and 9.9 weight % of at least one base metal component selected from the group consisting of W, V, Mn, Mo, Nb, and Ta, each weight percentage being expressed on the basis of the metal;said first porous inorganic oxide being at least one ceramic selected from the group consisting of alumina and alumina-based composite oxides containing at least one of silica, titania, and zirconia and having an alumina content of 50 weight % or more; and said second porous inorganic oxide being at least one ceramic selected from the group consisting of titania, alumina, zirconia, silica, and composite oxides thereof.
 2. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said first catalyst and said second catalyst are coated onto a ceramic substrate or onto a metal substrate.
 3. The exhaust gas cleaner according to claim 1, wherein said first porous inorganic oxide and said second porous inorganic oxide are in the form of pellets or granules. 